Ireland Team Talk XII: Farrell's First Fifteen

Didn't catch the match live, and missed all the discussion points since, so watched the match last night and came on here to see what the concesus was.
Have to say I'm a bit confused why all the talk seems to be centred around the 10's, I thought they were both decent, nothing great.
I was far more interested in the lineout being so much improved, and the scrums seemed to me to be fairly steady, particularly without Furlong.
I thought our second rows were excellent, and must be the partnership for the remainder of the tournament, the rock that everything around them depends on.
Our Number 6 is the one I came away with questions, I thought Conan was magnificent when he came on. I've always rated him as an option at 6, but not sure did he play at 8 and Doris shifted over?
Needless to say I would start Conan the next day, i thought he was outstanding.
I also thought Hansen was very good, he was getting to a lot of rucks and holding them well, and he had a really impressive carry and offload in the English 22 I thought was his best play of the day. We'll probably never know how bad his injury was, I suspect it took a small bit of acceleration from him, but he muscled through so we didn't waste a sub, so I'd give him credit for that. Having said that he did get caught out badly for the ruck penalty in their half at the end with the clock in the red to give them a chance to kick into our half, I think he had hands on the ground beyond the ruck.
Lowe was man of the match for me, and Gibson Park was very good too. I thought Aki made some very good carries, and a great finish for his try. The New Zealand trio will be badly missed when they age out of the team in a year or two.
I thought our attack formation was excellent throughout too, really impressed how the point of attack moved with every pass, some real intent in the way they line across the pitch. Other teams seem to fan out, one-out runners, but Ireland always seem to have two or three options, and stagger the line so there is a back door if a shooter interrupts the front line.
Sheehan's try was wonderful, could watch it on repeat! I think Kelleher was very good also, so for me there's a headache to decide who starts the next day.

Really looking forward to Sunday's match with Scotland, I will be able to watch it live at least thankfully, hopefully anyway!

Excellent post.

Small point : We don't have a 'New Zealand trio'. Hansen, like Frawley & Bealham were born in Australia.

Dougie! I like that!

I can see the logic now.

Tempting fate here but Ireland have managed VdM very well over the years.

The only time he's had any impact was the 1st time he played Ireland. 2020 ANC. Picked at the base of a ruck and ghosted by Quinn Roux and a 'covering' Stockdale (FB!).

Ireland in attack usually target his wing and Darcy Graham with good success.

Huw Jones is dangerous. Kinghorn is a big upgrade on that other yoke at FB.

Cant wait for Sunday!

Have to say I would love to see POM v Scotland! Just for one last time!

We're in bother if Healy has to play anything longer than 10-15 minutes. It's at the stage now they may as well go for it.

Where are you playing Osborne, 12 or 13? Gavin is a far better 12 than 13. He plays 13 when Bundee is there but he excels at 12 when he's not.